Major Cocaine Trafficking Operations Disrupted Across Australia and Pacific
Law enforcement agencies have successfully disrupted several significant cocaine trafficking operations, resulting in the seizure of multiple tonnes of cocaine and the arrest of numerous individuals across Australia and the Pacific region. These operations include large-scale maritime interceptions near French Polynesia, an alleged importation attempt off Western Australia, and a national investigation into cocaine concealed within timber planks.
Pacific Ocean Interceptions: Multi-Tonne Cocaine Shipments
French naval forces conducted two major cocaine seizures in the South Pacific in recent months.
On January 16, a fishing boat suspected of drug trafficking was intercepted in French Polynesia. French Navy personnel boarded the vessel, discovering 96 bales containing a total of 4.87 tonnes of cocaine. The shipment was reportedly en route to Australia from Central America.
The seized cocaine, estimated to have a street value of up to $1.5 billion, was subsequently dumped at sea by French Polynesian authorities. The vessel, identified as the MV Raider, and its crew of 11 Honduran and Ecuadorian nationals were released.
French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson stated that overcrowded prisons in French Polynesia prevented prosecution of the crew, adding that such cases are typically left to the country of origin or destination.
The MV Raider later arrived at Avatiu Port in the Cook Islands under a distress call for engine repairs, where Cook Islands Customs reported searching the vessel and finding no illicit substances. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) acknowledged the seizure, stating it prevented a substantial amount of illicit drugs from reaching Australian streets and indicated an intention to collaborate with French police to identify Australian links to the shipment.
In a separate operation, the French Navy intercepted a second vessel near French Polynesia, seizing 4.24 tonnes of cocaine. This shipment, originating from Central America, was reportedly en route to South Africa. The seized cargo was destroyed at sea, and the vessel and crew were released without charges by the local prosecutor’s office, as the trafficking was not destined for French Polynesia. A third operation in the Caribbean Sea involved the interception of 678 kilograms of cocaine, which was handed over to Barbadian authorities.
Officials and experts have noted an unprecedented volume of drugs transiting the Pacific to Australia and New Zealand. Steve Symon, chair of New Zealand's Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime, described the Pacific as a new gateway from the Americas due to demand in Australia and New Zealand.
The United Nations has indicated an expansion of organized crime groups trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine in the Pacific region in recent years.
Western Australia Coastal Operation: 525 kg Seizure and Arrests
Authorities have charged a sixth man in connection with an alleged attempt to import 525 kilograms of cocaine off the coast of Lancelin, Western Australia. The drugs, valued at over $170 million, were discovered tied to flotation drums approximately 30 kilometres offshore on November 6.
Investigators allege the cocaine was dropped into the ocean from the international livestock vessel 'Al Kuwait' on October 31, while it was en route to Fremantle Harbour. A special taskforce involving WA Police and the Australian Federal Police was already investigating suspicious activity related to the 'Al Kuwait' when the discovery was made.
The 44-year-old Myaree man, arrested in Mariginiup, is charged with one count of attempt to possess a commercial quantity of unlawfully imported cocaine. He is alleged to have been part of a group that attempted to retrieve the drugs from the sea in early November, departing from Two Rocks Marina.
The 46-year-old chief officer of the 'Al Kuwait', a Croatian national, has been charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug; a search of his ship reportedly found a blue drum and ropes consistent with those found with the drugs.
Four other men—a 52-year-old from Perth and three individuals from Sydney aged 19, 22, and 36—have also been charged for their alleged roles in attempting to collect the cocaine. Police allege discussions regarding the retrieval plan occurred on an encrypted messaging application between the Myaree man and the 52-year-old, who allegedly went out to sea on a small boat on November 2. WA Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Longhorn previously stated that the drug haul is suspected to be linked to South American cartels. The investigation is ongoing.
National Trafficking Disruption: Cocaine Concealed in Timber Planks
Police have charged five men in connection with a drug trafficking operation involving approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine, valued at an estimated $14 million, concealed within timber planks.
An investigation was initiated in August 2023 following a tip-off regarding the cocaine, which was intended for extraction from four tonnes of timber planks. Authorities allege that images depicting the timber and cocaine were discovered on the mobile phone of a 33-year-old man, who was arrested in Kingsford, Sydney, in January.
This individual allegedly traveled from Ballina to Sydney to collect prohibited drugs and was reportedly in possession of two kilograms of cocaine and nearly $7,000 in cash at the time of his arrest. His phone, over 700 grams of cocaine, and almost $400,000 in cash were reportedly found in a duffel bag within his vehicle at Ballina airport. The phone contained photos and videos illustrating cocaine "impregnated into wooden planks."
The concealed planks were allegedly stored in sheds in Lismore, New South Wales, and on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Six tonnes of timber were seized during an operation conducted on January 22.
On the same day, a property search at Molendinar on the Gold Coast led to the discovery of additional wooden planks inside a clandestine extraction laboratory. Four men, aged between 42 and 55, were subsequently arrested by Queensland Police and charged with producing dangerous drugs and possessing a cocaine press. The origin of the timber planks remains under investigation.
The 33-year-old man arrested in Kingsford was later charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group. NSW Police Detective Superintendent John Watson noted the alleged crimes demonstrated a significant degree of planning, while Queensland Police Acting Detective Superintendent Brad Phelps highlighted cross-border collaboration and stated that this method of concealing cocaine by impregnating it into timber planks had not been previously detected in Queensland.
Broader Context of Cocaine Trafficking
These recent disruptions underscore the ongoing challenges posed by international drug trafficking networks targeting Australia and New Zealand. Australians are among the highest per capita users of cocaine globally, with an estimated $10 billion spent annually on illegal drugs.
Experts indicate that customs intercept less than 10 percent of illicit drugs entering the country, with substances arriving through multiple entry points and using various methods including speedboats, submarines, tunnels, and large ships.